New York @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 6, 2011 ) NY Yankees 4, Boston 10

THE STORY: Boston Red Sox righthander Josh Beckett has been nearly unhittable when facing the New York Yankees this season. Jacoby Ellsbury, meanwhile, seems to be hitting everything in sight. The Red Sox hope the duo can help them regain sole possession of first place Sunday in the rubber match of a three-game series with the visiting Yankees. The Red Sox moved into a tie for first with the Yankees following a 10-4 victory Saturday thanks to Ellsbury, who homered and drove in a career-high six runs.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Josh Beckett (9-4, 2.20 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Freddy Garcia (10-7, 3.22).

Beckett is 3-1 with a 2.20 ERA over his last six starts. The hard-throwing righthander has been even better against New York this season, going 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA. Overall, Becket has won his last four starts versus the Yankees. Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira are a combined 2-for-23 with 10 strikeouts against him. Garcia, like Bartolo Colon, has been a pleasant surprise. The veteran righthander is 3-0 with a 2.22 ERA over his last three starts. But to say he has struggled against the Red Sox this season would be akin to saying Ted Williams was an average hitter. Garcia is 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA in three starts against Boston. David Ortiz is 4-for-5 with a homer and two doubles against Garcia this season.

ABOUT THE RED SOX (69-43): Boston has won nine of the 11 meetings with the Yankees. Saturday’s win assured them of at least a split of the season series. Ellsbury, the 23rd pick of the 2005 draft who missed all but 18 games last season because of injuries, is finally living up to his potential. He is hitting .370 (30-for-81) with six homers and 21 RBIs over the last 18 games. On Saturday, Ellsbury became the first Red Sox leadoff hitter to drive in six runs since Ellis Burks in 1987. Closer Jonathan Papelbon has converted 19 straight saves and allowed only one hit over his last eight appearances.

ABOUT THE YANKEES (69-43): New York hasn’t lost a series since being swept by the Red Sox from June 7-9 at Yankee Stadium. Thanks to surprising seasons from Garcia and Colon - two veterans who appeared to be past their prime - the Yankees have the eighth best team ERA (3.50) in baseball. The offense, which has scored 70 runs over the last eight games, will soon get a boost from the return of Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who is recovering from knee surgery, took batting practice Saturday in Florida and is expected to return later this month. Righthander Ivan Nova earned his 10th win Thursday night, tying him with Dillon Gee of the Mets and Jeremy Hellickson of Tampa Bay for most wins by a rookie.

FINAL PITCH: Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia have combined for 40 extra-base hits since the beginning of July - the most by any teammates in that span.